What do you want from your Italy tour—amazing architecture, sumptuous food, delicious wine, breathtaking art, historical treasures, and scenic beauty? Whatever it is, this Italy vacation offers it to you! You’ve seen photos of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square—now’s your chance to stand in this square, where people gather to hear the Pope. You’ve heard about gladiator contests in ancient Rome—now’s your chance to visit the Colosseum, where the contests took place. You know the story of Romeo and Juliet—now’s your chance to see Juliet’s balcony in Verona. You’ve seen photos of Michelangelo’s famous David—now’s your chance to see it yourself. You’ve heard of the famous Venice glass—now’s your chance to watch a skilled glassblower fashion it in an age-old, traditional manner. You’ve seen photos of the Leaning Tower in Pisa—now’s your chance to take a photo of yourself pushing back at it.

But that’s not all…on this Italy tour, scenic rides between cities will show you some of the country’s most beautiful scenery: the Tyrrhenian coast, the Lombardian plains, the flat Po area, the wooded Apennine mountain range, and Tuscany’s Chianti wine country, with its vine- and olive-clad hills. Plus, Lark Tours has arranged special experiences to give you a true local perspective, such as a tortellini lunch at a local Verona restaurant and a taste of traditional gelato in Florence. These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this tour through Italy’s great cities. It’s the vacation of a lifetime!

DAY 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy

Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (Dinner)

DAY 2 Rome

Enjoy LARK'S unique guided sightseeing, including inside visits to all highlights of religious and ancient Rome: the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà, the amazing COLOSSEUM, and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. For those who wish to see it all, an optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore famous sites like the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and more. (Breakfast)

DAY 3 Rome–Pisa–Florence

Follow the Aurelian Way along the Tyrrhenian coast and enter Tuscany. In Pisa, take the traditional picture pushing back the amazing Leaning Tower, then continue to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Tonight is your chance to try out local specialties on an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant. (Breakfast)

A special visit to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Take pictures of Juliet’s balcony and rub the shining breast on her statue for good luck. Next, admire the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheater, where gladiators used to fight. Built in the 1st century AD, it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. [Lark Tours Local Favorite] [Globus Local Favorite] Enjoy a tortellini lunch at Rubiani restaurant on lively Piazza Bra. Arrive in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. (Breakfast, Lunch)

DAY 6 Venice Island

Start the day in style by PRIVATE BOAT and meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Afterwards, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano. (Breakfast)

DAY 7 Venice Island–Ferrara–Rome

A scenic drive today through the lush plains of the mighty Po River to Ferrara. Stroll past imposing Este Castle to the marble cathedral before continuing to Rome across the wooded Apennine mountain range, past the vine- and olive-clad Tuscan Hills, home of the popular Chianti wine. This evening, [Lark Tours Local Favorite] a special farewell dinner with wine is the best way to say arrivederci, Roma. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 Rome

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Transportation

Motorcoach; private boat ride in Venice. Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.